With only two games remaining in the RaboDirect PRO12, Newport Gwent Dragons are targeting an all important victory away from home, at Parc-Y-Scarlets.
As the men of Gwent head west looking for that strong finish of the season, Dragons flanker Nic Cudd commented, “We started the season quite well and were mid-table until February but it has been disappointing since then.
"It was a better performance against the Ospreys but disappointing to come away without anything after the effort that we put in. Hopefully we can improve again tomorrow evening and against Treviso because we want to finish the season on a high."
The Dragons team to face the Scarlets sees Welsh international Hallam Amos start at fullback. He is joined in the back three by fellow Welsh internationals, wingers Tom Prydie and Will Harries. Pat Leach makes his return to the centre pairing, alongside Jack Dixon, after recovering from a virus that kept him from playing in the Judgement Day clash. Jones has then named fly half Kris Burton and scrum half Richie Rees in the team as they retain their positions from the last game played against the Ospreys at the Millennium Stadium.
Lyn Jones and his coaching staff have made just one change to the front row as prop Phil Price and hooker T. Rhys Thomas retain their places, whilst Duncan Bell is moved to the bench and Bruce Douglas takes his place as tight head prop. Dragons skipper and Welsh international Andrew Coombs returns to the second row, alongside youngster Matthew Screech, to captain the team. As the back row sees one positional change for Lewis Evans, he moves to blind side flanker to make way for Nic Cudd as open side flanker. British & Irish Lion Taulupe Faletau retains his number 8 jersey and completes the back row for the Dragons.
Looking at playing against his former team, Judgement Day’s Man of the Match Nic Cudd said, “It's just another game, if I have too much of an agenda it might affect my game in a negative way.”
"It's my old team but that's about it. It just didn't work out for me at the Scarlets; I had quite a few long-term injuries and didn't have so many chances.
"I've played a lot of games for the Dragons and I think the Scarlets were happy that I was able that I had the chance to play professionally elsewhere."
There has been a total of three changes to the replacements bench as Duncan Bell, Darren Waters and Tyler Morgan join Sam Parry, Owen Evans, Jevon Groves, Jonathan Evans and Jason Tovey.
Dragons team to face Scarlets
Hallam Amos, Tom Prydie, Pat Leach, Jack Dixon, Will Harries, Kris Burton, Richie Rees; Phil Price, T. Rhys Thomas, Bruce Douglas, Andrew Coombs (c), Matthew Screech, Lewis Evans, Nic Cudd, Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements:
Sam Parry, Owen Evans, Duncan Bell, Jevon Groves, Darren Waters, Jonathan Evans, Jason Tovey, Tyler Morgan.
The Dragons only have one home game left of the 2013/14 season which is against Benetton Treviso on Saturday 10th May, KO 18:30. Click here to get your tickets.
